Marafa Accuses Tinubu Of Betrayal, Dumps APC Over Neglect Of Zamfara

Former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Marafa, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of sidelining loyal allies and abandoning those who helped secure his victory. Marafa described the President as a “use-and-dump” politician who has failed to reward loyalty or address the worsening insecurity plaguing states like Zamfara.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the outspoken politician confirmed his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after wide consultations with his political base. He explained that his decision was not motivated by personal ambition, but by a commitment to equity, justice, and the welfare of his people.

“Politics is not slavery,” Marafa declared. “Why do you think I joined politics? Why is Mr President himself in politics? If he didn’t get the opportunity to be President today, would he have been able to allocate resources of over ₦3 trillion to Lagos State? Would he have appointed this number of aides from Lagos, a state where he lost the elections, while neglecting Zamfara where he won?”

The former senator said Tinubu’s government had failed to acknowledge Zamfara’s contribution to his electoral success. Out of the seven North-West states, Tinubu secured victories only in Jigawa and Zamfara during the 2023 presidential election. Despite this, Marafa lamented that Zamfara was allotted only one cabinet position—Minister of State for Defence—while other states, including those where Tinubu lost, received multiple ministerial slots.

“The Constitution says every state must be represented in the Federal Executive Council,” Marafa noted. “But compare Zamfara with Lagos: Mr President lost Lagos, yet how many slots did Lagos get? Ogun got multiple slots as well. Meanwhile, we in Zamfara, where he won, were given just the Minister of State for Defence. That was an insult to our people.”

According to Marafa, this pattern of neglect is not unique to Zamfara but reflects a broader trend in the way Tinubu treats party stalwarts. He cited the political sidelining of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and other prominent figures who, he claimed, were instrumental in Tinubu’s emergence but are now being discarded.

“Looking at the treatment meted out on Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, and even myself, we are convinced that Mr President is a use-and-dump leader,” he said bluntly.

Marafa dismissed suggestions that his political moves were driven by self-interest, insisting that his stance was about defending the dignity of his people. “My parents were not slaves, and I have never been a slave to anybody,” he declared. “I am not in politics to serve anybody; I am in politics to impact the lives of my people.”

The former lawmaker also criticized the federal government’s handling of insecurity in Zamfara, describing the state as abandoned despite being one of the worst-hit by banditry and violence. He said the lack of meaningful interventions underscored the government’s disregard for Zamfara and its people.

On his political future, Marafa said he had not yet decided which party to join but would take his time to evaluate the landscape before making a move. He stressed that he remained committed to seeking positions of influence, not for personal enrichment, but to better serve his people.

“Anybody can call me names, but I am in politics to get positions and to impact lives,” Marafa said. “I will take my time to figure things out and decide on the next platform that aligns with my vision.”

Marafa’s resignation from the APC marks the latest in a series of high-profile defections and discontent within the ruling party, as internal divisions deepen over appointments, resource allocation, and the President’s style of leadership. Political observers say his exit could further weaken APC’s grip in Zamfara ahead of future elections, particularly given his strong grassroots following in the state.